Seed dispersal by terrestrial mammals in deciduous forests from the North Atlantic Autonomous Region of Nicaragua after hurricane Felix

Dispersion, removal and predation of C. brasiliense seeds was evaluated in a forest affected by hurricane Felix and other forest without disturbance in the North Atlantic Autonomous Region of Nicaragua (RAAN). Both sites do not have hunting activities reported. Seeds of C. brasiliense were studied under two treatments: with and without exclosure. each with/without exclosure treatment was repeated 10 times in 6 transects of 250 m along two sample lines of 1km. This sampling design was repeated in both forests: under and no hurricane. The removal and no removal of each seed, distance of removal and effective dispersal (planted seeds vs abandoned seeds) were assessed. Finally the abundance and richness of medium size mammals was assessed through diurnal walks. Small rodents were captured with Shermann traps in both forest types.